Epilogue
MERVIN
Mama smiles more.
I always like it when she smiles, because her scent changes. She smells like forbidden flowers when she’s happy, and she also lets me gnaw on her.
She doesn’t cry as much. I usually bring her my favorite mouse when she’s upset, but I’ve been able to keep it for myself recently.
Also, if something does bother her, my news dads purr for her.
It’s not all up to my brother and me anymore.
Mama was so lonely after she lost her friends, but I think she forgot that Marlin and I lost them, too.
It’s nice that we’re not alone anymore.
We moved into a new house, too. It’s huge; with more than enough climbing areas for me, Marlin, and our new siblings.
I’m also allowed to sharpen my claws on many more surfaces. My dads made sure of it.
Ash is cool; he’s older, and a little bossy, but he also knows the best way to get treats from Mama.
Josie, Posie, and Rosie are loud and make messes, but they make Mama laugh, so I guess they’re okay sisters.
Marlin says we’re spoiled; but if we’re spoiled, Mama is spoiled too, so that makes it alright.
Our dads smell different, but nice. They’re good to Mama, and they make her laugh and smell sweeter.
They also keep bringing me toys, treats, and new blankets for me to sleep in, so I have no complaints.
I always thought that it would just be me, Marlin, and Mama, but now, I have a huge family.
There is always a warm chest to sprawl out on or a new blanket to make biscuits on.
Mama is loved, and my new dads make sure she never forgets it.
MARLIN
There’s a ring on Mama’s finger now.
It’s shiny, and Mama doesn’t want me touching it, so of course, I must.
One time she left it on a dresser, and I batted it off.
It rolled under it, and I did my best to show Mama where it went, but it still took her a whole day to find it.
Ever since then, it hasn’t left her finger.
Even worse, she won’t let me gnaw on the hard, shiny part.
But the day she got it she smelled better than she’d ever smelled. Mervin and I nibbled on her, and she didn’t even care when we drooled on her.
There is something about seeing Mama so happy that makes me happy.
Mervin doesn’t remember the worst nights when Mama would cry herself to sleep.
The only thing that would make her stop was me lying on her chest, making the loudest purrs possible.
But now, our new dads do it for her, and she rarely grows upset anymore.
Her scent is even better than before, too.
It blends well with our dads, and every time I scent them, I know I’m home.
Mervin and I have never had dads before.
We were in the shelter before Mama adopted us, so she was the only parent we knew.
But now?
I get to watch my brother’s fur grow shinier as our new dads spoil him.
I notice Mama’s skin glowing whenever she’s around them.
I observe how much Ash slow blinks, and how Josie, Posie, and Rosie are growing into prancing princesses.
Mama gave us a house to live in, but our dads gave her a home.
I will forever love them for that.